MANY city roads will be closed to traffic at the weekend as thousands of runners take part in the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.

After starting at the University of York’s Heslington campus on Sunday morning, October 8, the full 26.2 mile course takes participants past many of the historic sights of the city centre before heading out via Stockton Lane into the countryside and back to the university.

Course director Tristan Batley-Kyle said: “We look forward to welcoming all those taking part in the marathon, the 10 mile and the team relay.

“Unfortunately with an event of this size a certain amount of disruption is inevitable and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

“We would like to reassure road users that the closures, which are necessary for the safety of all those involved, will be lifted as soon as possible.”

The closures begin on Saturday at 10am when University Road will close between Innovation Way and Green Dykes Lane so organisers can set up the event village. It will reopen at 9pm on Sunday.

Roads along the route will start to close from 6am on Sunday and will re-open once the race has passed through them and it is safe for vehicles to use them again.

In route order, the city centre closures are: Walmgate, Hope Street, Leadmill Lane, Piccadilly, Parliament Street, Blake Street, Duncombe Place, Deangate, Goodramgate and Monkgate.

The closures protecting the runners on their way out of the city include Heworth Green, Stockton Lane, The Village Stockton-on-the-Forest, Common Lane and Northgate Lane.

The route then works its way along several country roads before returning towards the city via Sand Hutton and Gate Helmsley.

Holtby Lane, Murton Way, Bad Bargain Lane and Osbaldwick Lane will be closed to enable the runners to return safely to the university.

Parts of the A166 between Stamford Bridge and York as well as parts of Tang Hall Lane and Hull Road will be closed,

Organisers are delivering thousands of leaflets to homes and businesses along the route about the closures and how they will be affected.